Sacred Destiny Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Sacred Destiny Oracle by Denise Linn, published by Hay House. US $22.99  Can $29.99  UK £16.99

Since ancient times, shamans, seers, medicine women and healers have been able to access wisdom from the natural world and these cards have been designed to help you to decipher the spiritual and psychic messages of animals, flowers, birds, lakes and ponds, moon and sun, in feathers and rainbows seen within the landscape.

Angels and Ancestors

 Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Angels and Ancestors Oracle Cards by Kyle Gray with artwork by Lily Moses, boxed set of 55 cards and guidebook, published by Hay House £13.19

The guidebook contains all the information required to conduct a reading for self or others, including how to read the cards, create a bridge between this and the Otherworld, reversed card readings and what to avoid. A message of kindness and balance is given from archetypes that uplift, inform, guide and inspire. The deck is divided into sections with symbols, seasons, ancestral wisdom keepers and international guardians, with information about each and a short and more extended message.

Goddesses, Gods and Guardians Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review:  Goddesses, Gods and Guardians Oracle Cards by Sophie Bashford, Art by Hillary Wilson, Boxed set of 44 cards plus guidebook, published by Hay House. £15.99

From the box lid: ‘I receive your wisdom with an open heart. Thank you for revealing sacred truths that illuminate my soul’s path.’

This deck has a cross cultural emphasis, with women and men of differing ethnicity, skin colour, and age ranges, including non-binary and all genders. Featured archetypes are presented with messages from divine teachings with a name and subtitle, a few words of advice, information and a message, additional meanings and a short invocation. All are positive and uplifting messages that bridge the gap between daily life and a walking a spiritual path. You can ask questions of the cards and receive practical and spiritual advice. These cards don’t completely predict the future and will not take away your free will. They show possibilities, yet you have the power to change outcomes in your life. 

Moonology Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Moonology Manifestation Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland. Published by Hay House. Boxed set of cards and guidebook. Oct 2021 £17.99 

Opening up the doors! Relax, focus, believe, open and step up. 

The Moon is the magical queen of the sky. She is our ally when it comes to manifestation. We create our life with our feelings, thought and actions. It’s all about mind set - not moon set! There are no easy fixes! Complex questions are raised here. Here the Moon is female.

Celtic Spirit Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Celtic Spirit Oracle - Ancient Wisdom from the Elementals by Nicola McIntosh. Boxed set of 36 Cards and full colour Guidebook. Published by Rockpool Publishing. 

I enjoyed these cards, their gentle coloured drawings, beauty, concepts and write-ups on each card. The cards display an image, a number, a title and three keywords on their face. In the guidebook, we have more information in up to 1,000 words of meaning for each card. Information on how to use the cards is detailed. Focus on the outcome you desire. Ask an open question, such as “What am I Missing?” Several other suitable questions are suggested. Spreads include The Triquetra or 3 Card, Past, Present, Future, the 5 card Pentagram, and the 10 card Celtic Cross. 

Nicola practices Celtic Shamanism and her card titles bring elemental messages of the land, and the myths and traditions of the Celts. Information is provided about ancient and advanced beings called Elementals. She describes how each card relates to her. 

Flower Reading Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Flower Reading Cards - Discover the Language of Nature by Cheralyn Darcey (author and artist), published by Rockpool Publishing, 36 cards in magnetic flip to open box with high quality explanatory booklet £14.99 Author website: www.cheralyndarcy.com

International flowers are featured, each card carries a title and subtitle, and linocut artwork, which is also painted by hand. The meanings have been developed through research and enquiry, personal experience and observation. In the booklet, each card has its common name and latin name, meaning, challenges, a botanical profile and a place of origin. Each flower has been given a personality by this environmental artist who uses recycled materials for the past twenty years for her artworks. Also provided is information on how to use the cards, pick a flower for each day, for oracle readings, meditation, healing and education. 

Sacred Traveler Oracle Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards by Denise Linn. Published by Hay House. Boxed set of 52 cards plus guidebook.

These cards show possibilities and potentials for the future. Life is a sacred quest - or a pilgrimage - towards our own self development and authenticity, where we seek clarity and learn wisdom and understanding. Oracle cards can be pointers towards this journey of enlightenment and can help us find our life purpose. The Sacred Traveler cards are designed to answer questions we might have and can be used for self readings or readings for another person. Each card has a meaning and a Sacred Traveler Message. There is also a section in the book to discover the hidden meanings in your nightly dreams and the cards can be used for meditation. The guidebook provides information on how to store, recharge, prepare, choose, layout and interpret the cards. There is a One Card Reading, a Daily Insight, a Monthly Layout, a One Year Spread, a 3 card reading, and a 5 card spread.

Lo Scarabeo Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: 'Lo Scarabeo Tarot - The art of divining begins a new chapter' by Mark McElroy with artwork by Anna Lazzarini and published by Lo Scarabeo £17.99 

Lo Scarabeo is my favourite card deck publisher. 20 years old this year! These are slim-line cards 4.70" x 2.60". If someone has only one deck, this Lo Scarabeo is the one to have! It is a combination, a fusion of three premier tarot decks: The Rider-Waite-Smith, the Thoth, and the Tarot de Marseilles, and it is introduced by Lo Scarabeo as a "flagship" deck. It can be used for reflection and study or as a divination deck and the traditional meanings apply. It offers a flexible approach to divination suggesting the use of intuition though a good tarot book will be necessary for beginners as contained in the pack with the 78 cards is a little white instruction leaflet that gives just the card titles and two keywords, one for upright readings and one for reversed readings. A sample reading of the suggested 9 card 'Lo Scarabeo' spread is provided.

The Druid’s Primer

The Druid’s Primer is an excellent book on the subject of Druidry and is an inspirational read for anyone who is seeking to tread this spiritual path 

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Druid’s Primer by Luke Eastwood
Published by Moon books Paperback price: £15.99 e-book price: £4.96 www.lukeeastwood.com

The Dragon Riders Oracle

 Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Dragon Riders Oracle by Christine Arana Fader. Boxed set of 43 Cards and Guidebook. Published by Earthdancer, an Inner Traditions Imprint. US $19.99 : Can $24.99 

Are you a dragon rider? 

Sample card: KuanYin & Susuri - Kuan Yin is deeply revered in many countries. She is an ascended master and delivers forgiveness and transformation. She also brings comfort and hope. Kuan Yin teaches us to practice goodness, forgiveness, sympathy, compassion, and love. As the practice of her worship spread from the east to the west, her power grew, and she became the goddess of mercy. She is also known as Kuan Shi Yin, which translates as “hearing the cries of the world”. Her message: Follow my teachings and learn to love without expecting anything in return. In doing so, you will discover unimagined inner riches. Listen to your caring thoughts. They are most valuable spiritual possession. Let your light shine brightly. In your mind, imagine your love expanding, breath pink energy, use the name Kuan Yin to spread this pink luminous light. From the dragon Susuri: Allow me and my liked of divine love to have old you. Let me penetrate the very depths of your being. Allow me and my divine love to hold you. Let me penetrate the very depths of your being. Let me strengthen you from within so you can break your inner chains. To do this, see the beauty of the card and feel how, with my resonance I am at work within you. Over the next few days, work with the affirmation. I am divine love in action. 

A Lantern in the Dark

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Lantern in the Dark - Navigate Life’s Crossroads with Story, Ritual & Sacred Astrology, by Danielle Blackwood, in kindle and paperback 234 pages of text, no images, £14 Published by Llewellyn Books. 

“With unflinching wisdom and compassion, Blackwood guides us towards the holy grail of a meaningful, examined life.” Steven Forrest, author of The Inner Sky

What happens when we find ourselves at a crossroads in life? This crossroads is a threshold, and you can use astrology to assist your understanding and progress. Myths and folklore can also provide guidance. This book helps you and others to make peace with the past, navigate now and move on to your life purpose. This book will also help you to transform your crossroads into something sacred. The author is an astrologer and educator of 30 years duration. She provides meditations, stories, affirmations, and rituals. Every major astrological transit is covered, Saturn returns, Uranus opposition, etc. There are self-care tools, journalling, crystals and herbs, all for beginners. Beware of the self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Nature-Speak Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Oracle Card Review: The Nature-Speak Oracle by Ted Andrews, published by Dragonhawk Publishing in a good quality box which contains 60 cards plus explanation booklet. Card size: 11.9 x 9.4 x 4cm  http://www.dragonhawkpublishing.com

The cards are related to the ‘Green Kingdom’ and bear photos of nature within an oval frame. Cards bear titles and subtitles and are divided into 4 suits - ‘Landscape Oracles, such as beach, borderland, desert, forest, garden, hot spring, lake and pond; Flower Oracles, such as iris, gardenia, orchid, tulip; Seasons and Climate Oracles, such as fog and mist, summer, snow, blue moon, clouds and Tree Oracles, such as maple, walnut, palm, redwood and rowan.

Dark Nights of the Soul

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Dark Nights of the Soul - A Guide to Finding Your Way Through Life's Ordeals by Thomas More. Published by Piatkus. £10.99 

A quest for the meaning of life can occur at any time but mostly it occurs during the most difficult times in our life, at a time of loss, illness, or distress. Written by a Catholic monk and psychotherapist, this book brings comfort and inspiration to the seeker who is facing major life challenges and seeking answers. 

It takes us through the night sea journey, rites of passage, the underworld, love and other emotions, ways of coping and our learning about ourselves and others. 

This is a classic, a resource, a tour de force and a luxury. To be read at any time, it is a major work on this deep and painful place that some find themselves in and need to make sense of. 

Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling Care of the Soul. 

The Seven Types of Spirit Guide

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Seven Types of Spirit Guide - How to Connect and Communicate with Your Cosmic Helpers by Yamile Yemoonyah. Published by Hay House. RRP £12.99

Angels, ancestors, nature spirits, star beings, animal spirits, ascended masters, and deities can be contacted for guidance of all kinds. There is a chapter for each of these, what they represent, how they can most assist you. They each have specific gifts, and challenges. You can find out how to work with these spirit beings, talk to them, conduct a ceremony, and find your spiritual life purpose. There is an extensive quiz that helps you to ascertain which spirit guide is your most dominant. 

Universal Goddess Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Universal Goddess Tarot by Maria Caratti, Antonella Platano, published by Lo Scarabeo. 5 inches by 3 inches card size. £22.95 

This card is 'Angerona' Goddess of the Winter Solstice and represents 'silence' - the mother who never asks questions but welcomes you into her benevolent arms when you are tired or uncertain. This is a delightful deck, the paintings are of highest quality and are convincing as deities. The information in the insert is adequate and concise. There is a paperback by Antonela Platano to accompany the deck and a deluxe edition. This is a deck which will deliver a valuable reading every time, without fail! 

This card on the right is the card of Justice, here numbered VIII. She is the Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Justice and she speaks to us directly. Do you hear her voice say with great power and authority: "Bow down before me, for I am Ma'at, the Goddess of Truth, Justice and Order. Obey my commands and you will be rewarded by the same coin, or disobey me, and be condemned by the 42 judges. 

The Sufi Path Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Sufi Path of Knowledge - Ibn al Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination by William C Chittick, published by State University of New York Press.

"How can I find God?" Is the opening chapter of this book.

An indepth study of Sufi's most well known and knowledgeable philosopher, mystic and theologian, known as The Great Sheik, Ibn al Arabi. His teachings are translated and explained in this very readable book. You are transported by beautiful, deep and loving wisdom, zen like in its poetical ambiguity. This is a close account of the path of the Sufis, a bible of divine wisdom and discovery, and one that I highly recommend.